News and Events from Around the World

• Canada's List of Responsible Parties for Persecuting Falun Gong Increases to 45 People
• Summary of Legal Actions to Bring China's Jiang Zemin and His Agents to Justice for Persecuting Falun Gong
• Stockholm International Conference on "Genocide in the New Era"
• Non-Governmental Organizations from Different Countries Gather in Stockholm for the International Conference on "Genocide in the New Era"
• French Judge Meets with Falun Gong Practitioner to Discuss Lawsuit Against the Leader of the 610 Office

Voices of Justice

• US Congressman Anthony Weiner Urges China to Release Ms. Zhang Jun and Ms. Li Chiyue Detained in Beijing
• Chinese Consul in Canada Found Guilty of Libel, Canadian MP Rob Anders Congratulates Falun Gong Practitioners
• Letter from a Dutch Government Official Expressing Concern about the Human Rights Situation in China

Facts of the Persecution

• 64 Falun Gong Practitioners Deaths from Torture in China Reported in Three Months
• Tortures at Beijing Female Forced Labor Center: Starvation, Sleep Deprivation and Violence
• The Plight of a Family in Heibei Province, China
• Chine: Middle School Student Is Arrested for Answering an Exam Question Truthfully
• China: U.S. Wigs Made by Falun Gong Practitioners Turned Slaves

Media Reports and Opinions

• VOA: New York Based Human Rights Organization Claims that Falun Gong Suffers Mental Torment in China
• Oregon, USA: Corvallis Gazette Times - Chinese Persecution of Falun Gong Fatal
• Ottawa Citizen: Falun Gong [Practitioner] Wins Suit Against Consular Official

The People Awaken to the Truth

• Elementary School Pupil is Not Fooled by Police's Deception
• A Letter from a Non-Practitioner in China: Falun Gong Friends, Be Persistent!

Falun Gong Practitioners' Personal Experience

• After Practicing Falun Gong for One Month I Completely Recovered From a Serious Disability
• Story of a Young Practitioner: Falun Gong Cured the Illnesses I Was Born With
  

News and Events from Around the World

Canada's List of Responsible Parties for Persecuting Falun Gong Increases to 45 People

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has a list of Chinese officials from each level of Party Committees, "610 Offices," local governments and forced labor camps that are responsible for the persecution of Falun Gong. The list, which has been increased to forty-five names, includes those of Jiang Zemin, Li Lanqing, Luo Gan, Wang Maolin and Liu Jing, among other well-known officials. If anyone on the list attempts to enter Canada, a prompt investigation could take place, potentially resulting in refusal of visas to Canada, cancellation of their Canadian citizenship, deportation, charges and punishment based on Canada's laws governing crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Last September, the Canadian Falun Dafa Association submitted a document to Canada's Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Program (CAHWCP). This file documented evidence of crimes against Falun Gong that were committed by fifteen high-level Chinese officials, including those of Jiang Zemin. At the end of January, Falun Dafa practitioners in Canada provided the names of another thirty criminals, along with documented evidence.

According to Li Xun, a member of the Canada Falun Dafa Association, "This criminal evidence comes from previously suppressed witnesses, such as Ms. Wang Yuzhi in Canada, and practitioners in China who are brave enough to have provided information overseas. Large quantities of direct and indirect evidence have been collected from third-parties such as Amnesty International, United Nations Human Rights Organizations, Human Rights Watch and the World Organization to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong."

The World Organization to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong confirmed that it has already received more names and evidence of involvement in the persecution from each region's Political Judiciary Committees, "610 Offices," Public Security Bureau, State Security Bureau, news publishing departments, from all levels of media, education, culture and foreign relations department, the Internet information censorship bureau and from youth and women's organizations. Mr. Li Xun said, "This list of forty-five names marks only the beginning of our actions. We will provide tens of thousands names to CAHWCP. They are ready to accept our further additions to the list."

According to reports from China, one upper-level "610 Office" has ordered lower county-level "610 Offices" to internally collect all documents ever passed down since 1999, when the persecution began. They want to destroy evidence of their crimes. Canadian Falun Gong practitioner Ms. Lucy Zhou expressed that although evidence may be partially destroyed, the evidence of those who committed crimes against Falun Gong practitioners can never be permanently destroyed.

Summary of Legal Actions to Bring China's Jiang Zemin and His Agents to Justice for Persecuting Falun Gong

Lawsuits Filed in the United States

In October 2002, Falun Gong practitioners and their families filed a lawsuit in the Northern District Court of Illinois charging Jiang Zemin and his "610 Office" with torture, genocide and other crimes against humanity during his visit to Chicago. (The "610 Office" was formed to carry out the campaign to eradicate Falun Gong.) On June 11, 2003, the court accepted an amicus curiae brief signed by 38 members of the U.S. Congress in support of the plaintiffs. On September 12, 2003, the court dismissed the claims against Jiang based on the view that former heads of state enjoy immunity for torture and genocide in U.S. courts. On September 30, 2003, plaintiffs filed a Motion for Reconsideration based on the fact that the court's decision was not consistent with trends in international law, multilateral conventions and treaties since World War II, or American jurisprudence. On October 6, 2003, the court denied the plaintiffs' Motion for Reconsideration, and on November 13, plaintiffs filed their notice of appeal with the Seventh Circuit Appellate Court. On January 20, 2004, the Court accepted the documents of appeal.

In June 2003, a U.S. Magistrate denied foreign sovereign immunity to Beijing Party Secretary and former Beijing Mayor Liu Qi, and also to Xia Deren, Vice Governor of Liaoning Province. In a report submitted to the court, the judge recommended a finding in favor of the plaintiffs in both cases.

In December 2001, the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of New York ruled against Zhao Zhifei, the Chief of Police and second in command of the "610 Office" in Hubei Province. The judge issued a default judgment against Zhao Zhifei and awarded nominal damages to the plaintiffs by request of the plaintiffs' counsel.

International Lawsuits

Cyprus - On Oct. 27, 2003, a complaint was filed in the National Court against Wu Guanzheng, Politburo Standing Committee member and former Shandong Province Governor, charging him with genocide, torture, and crimes against humanity.

Spain - On Oct. 15, 2003, a criminal lawsuit was filed in the National Court charging Jiang and Politburo Standing Committee member Luo Gan for their roles in the campaign of genocide and torture against Falun Gong practitioners.

Moldova - On Sept. 18, 2003, a class action lawsuit was filed charging the same Luo Gan with torture, genocide, and other crimes.

Armenia - On Sept. 16, 2003, a criminal lawsuit was filed charging Luo Gan with genocide and torture.

Finland - On Sept. 11, 2003, a criminal lawsuit was filed charging Luo Gan with genocide and torture.

Iceland - On Sept. 8, 2003, a criminal lawsuit was filed charging Luo Gan with genocide, torture, and crimes against humanity.

Australia - In 2000, Australian citizen Zhang Cuiying was imprisoned and tortured in China for her belief in Falun Gong. Human rights attorney Mr. Geoffrey Robertson will bring her case before the United Nations Human Rights Commission.

Belgium - On Aug. 21, 2003, a prosecuting attorney in the case of Chilean dictator Augusto Pinoche filed a criminal lawsuit against Jiang and his senior aides Luo Gan and Li Lanqing. The lawsuit charged the three with genocide, torture, and crimes against humanity.

France - On Dec. 2002, a criminal lawsuit was filed charging former Vice-Premier of China Li Lanqing, also formerly the acting administrative head for the "610 Office," with torture. In July 2003, the French criminal court began legal proceedings on the case.

Switzerland - On March 18, 2002, during the United Nations 59th Human Rights Commission meeting, Mr. Philip Grant, President of Track Impunity Always, announced plans to launch a lawsuit against Jiang for torture, crimes against humanity, and genocide if the now-Chairman of the Central Military Commission ever visits Switzerland.

Background

Falun Gong (a.k.a. Falun Dafa) is a practice of meditation and exercises with teachings based on the universal principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance. Since its public introduction in 1992, it quickly spread by word of mouth throughout China, and is now practiced in over 50 countries.

With government estimates of as many as 100 million practicing, Party leader Jiang Zemin outlawed the peaceful practice in July 1999, possibly due to fear or jealousy of Falun Gong's rapid growth and popularity, which far surpassed that of the Party itself. Unable to crush the millions who had benefited from Falun Gong, Jiang's regime has intensified its propaganda campaign to turn public opinion against the practice while quietly imprisoning, torturing and even murdering those who practice it.

As of January 2004, 860 deaths have been verified since the persecution began in 1999. Expert sources, however, estimate the figure to be much, much higher. Hundreds of thousands have been detained, and more than 100,000 have been sentenced without trial to forced-labor camps.

Falun Gong practitioners in China have appealed to the government according to their Constitutional rights and have resisted the persecution with non-violent public protests, but channels of appeal have been cut off and they are often arrested. Practitioners outside China are using every non-violent and legal means possible to bring attention to this grave situation and initiate litigation against members of the regime, the "610 Office," and local officials involved in the persecution.

Stockholm International Conference on "Genocide in the New Era"

On January 28, 2004, the International Conference on "Genocide in the New Era" reached its third day, which was the final session of the conference. In the morning, renowned Canadian lawyer Mr. Clive Ansley's speech entitled "A Chinese Court is Not a Court" was warmly welcomed and respected by many of the participants. Mr. Ansley is accomplished in Chinese and Canadian law. During the speech, he used pictures and articles to analyze the current status of the Chinese legal system and the persecution of Falun Gong. He was followed by a speech from the President of the International Advocates for Justice, Mr. Zhang Erping. Mr. Zhang raised the topic of whether the law is greater than authoritative power or power is greater than the law through his experience of working for the Chinese Government in the past.

Later on, two Falun Gong practitioners who have been subject to torture and abuse in Chinese labor camps, Mr. Zhao Ming and Ms. Zhang Cuiying, talked about the persecution of Falun Gong using their personal experiences.

Finally, Mr. Zhang Erping represented the organizers of the conference to give a closing speech. In the speech, he emphasized that taking measures to prevent and stop the crime of genocide should become the duty and responsibility of all of the non-governmental organizations, human rights lawyers and people who had attended this conference.

Non-Governmental Organizations from Different Countries Gather in Stockholm for the International Conference on "Genocide in the New Era"

On January 27, 2004, the international conference on "Genocide in the New Era" proceeded into the second day. This day of the conference focused on five issues: "Perspectives of Genocide", "Legal Mechanisms on Genocide", "The Roles of Diplomacy, Governments and Non-governmental Organizations", "Corporate Responsibility", and "New Threats: Media and the Internet".

Thirteen human rights lawyers, law scholars and experts in diplomacy and media from Europe, Asia and North America delivered speeches. In her presentation entitled "Justice against the Crime of Genocide", Taiwanese lawyer Theresa Chu called on the international community to pay attention to Jiang's campaign of genocide against Falun Gong, to help remove this twenty-first century human rights tragedy from Chinese society, and to bring Jiang to justice. Mr. Morton Sklar, a prominent American lawyer and judge, gave a speech entitled "Strengthening the Tools to Prevent and Punish Genocide". The speech of the renowned human rights lawyer Ning Ye was entitled "The PRC's Massive Persecution Against Falun Gong is a Crime of Genocide".

In the discussion about the mechanism of law focusing on the Crime of Genocide, well-known Belgian lawyer Mr. Georges-Henri Beauthier talked about the defect of Belgium's New Law, under which a lawsuit had been filed against Jiang and Luo for the persecution of Falun Gong. Spanish human rights lawyer Carlos Iglesias discussed a problem concerning heads of state in "Immunity and Genocide". Terri Marsh, a US human rights lawyer, elaborated on the serious outcome of the persecution and the lawsuits against chief persecutors Jiang Zemin and Luo Gan in many countries. Finally, American lawyer Joshua Sondheimer gave a presentation entitled "Civil Liability -- Opportunities and Obstacles".

In the afternoon, German lawyer Wolfgang Kaleck used his lawsuits against the Argentinean tyrant and the former Chinese leader to share experiences of working together with lawyers in other countries to find justice for victims. Then a former veteran British diplomat, a representative of the International Organization to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong, and representatives from the media gave their own statements.

French Judge Meets with Falun Gong Practitioner to Discuss Lawsuit Against the Leader of the 610 Office

On January the 28th 2004 in the Court of Justice in Paris, the French judge dealing with the lawsuit filed against Li Lanqing, the head of the 610 Office*, had an appointment with a French Falun Gong practitioner who is one of the four plaintiffs. The practitioner was accompanied by her lawyer.

The meeting lasted an hour and a half, during which the judge read the complaint and asked the plaintiff if she had any other information to add. The judge was also informed that another complaint had just been filed against the Chinese Minister of Culture, Sun Jiazheng, for the crime of torture and the incitement of hatred through propaganda against Falun Gong.

The practitioner was asked by the judge to explain why she had filed the lawsuit. She answered by explaining more about the persecution of Falun Gong, how widespread, systematic and criminal the brutal suppression of practitioners in China is, and how the ex-President and his regime try to impose this abuse of human rights on other countries. She conveyed that France and every other democratic country have a moral responsibility toward what can be officially described as "genocide" and that this is not a Chinese issue, but an international question.
The judge said that she understood the meaning of the first complaint, which she had studied in detail, and that she would do her job independent of any diplomatic or political influence, wherever it came from. She also shared her understanding and determination to do the job as best she could.

After the appointment, the lawyer told her client that she was surprised there had been no need to discuss the case in detail because the judge already had a good understanding of the importance to bring these persecutors to justice.

Voices of Justice

US Congressman Anthony Weiner Urges China to Release Ms. Zhang Jun and Ms. Li Chiyue Detained in Beijing

On February 2, 2004, US Congressman Anthony D. Weiner wrote to China's ambassador urging the government of China to release Ms. Zhang Jun and Ms. Li Chiyue, relatives of US Citizen Ms. Wendy Zhang from New York. A copy of the letter was also sent to US Ambassador Mr. Clark T. Randt, Jr.

Congressman Weiner said: "I write to urge the government of the Peoples' Republic of China to release Ms. Zhang Jun and Ms. Li Chiyue, both of whom are currently being detained at the Chao Yaung District Police Station in Beijing."

Ms. Zhang Jun and her daughter Ms. Li Chiyue were arrested on January 20, 2004. Congressman Weiner wrote in the letter: "It is my understanding that their relatives have not been given an opportunity to visit with them since their incarceration. Ms. Wendy Zhang, a sister of Ms. Zhang Jun's currently living in the United States, has expressed grave concern about their health and safety. During their detention, both women should be allowed visits from family, humane accommodations, freedom from torture and harassment, and the assurance of safety."

Chinese Consul in Canada Found Guilty of Libel, Canadian MP Rob Anders Congratulates Falun Gong Practitioners

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice issued the verdict on February 3, 2004 and found Pan Xinchun, Deputy Chinese Consul General in Toronto, guilty of libel. Canadian MP Rob Anders wrote Falun Gong practitioner in congratulation of the news. He said: "I am delighted to hear of the Ontario court ruling which has found the Chinese Consul General in Toronto guilty of slandering Falun Gong."

He wrote: "This decision sends a strong message to Chinese officials here that they are not free to disseminate state hate propaganda as they might in the People's Republic of China. It is an assertion of rule of law and Canadian sovereignty. The actions of Chinese consular staff are repugnant and those involved should have their diplomatic privileges revoked and be asked to leave the country.

"I am disturbed by the non-diplomatic activities of the Chinese government here in Canada. I have been notified by practitioners that Chinese officials are conducting anti-Falun Gong activities, including; rallies, distributing letters and brouchers to all levels of Canadian officials and supporters of Falun Gong, infiltration of student campus groups, denial of visas to China or passport extensions and large scale poster displays inside Chinese Consulates and the Embassy. I myself have personally experienced the abuse that the Chinese government often resorts to when dealing with freedom of expression.

"It's time for Chinese authorities to seriously consider a change in policy towards practitioners, and how they conduct themselves while stationed abroad. This ruling underlines the message that such uncivilized behavior is unacceptable, and the oppressive intolerance of spiritual beliefs and freedom of speech is unwelcome here in Canada."

Letter from a Dutch Government Official Expressing Concern about the Human Rights Situation in China

In the letter that a Dutch Falun Gong practitioner wrote to Holland's Prime Minister Mr. Jan Peter Balkenende, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Bernard Bot and the Minister of Defense H. G. J. Kamp on December 10th 2003, the Dutch government was requested to pay attention to the ongoing human rights violations against Falun Gong practitioners occurring in China. On behalf of the Ministers, a parliamentary official and Director of the Asia and Oceania Department replied to the practitioners' letter on January 28, 2004.

The reply letter stated, "The human rights violations in China are very serious. For instance, brutal torture, bad treatment in the prisons, coercing a suspect into admitting guilt, and arbitrary arrest. In addition, the Chinese government strictly restricted freedom of speech and assembly, and the rights of laborers. Meanwhile, in their handling of the dissenters, minority nationalities, religious beliefs, spiritual groups (such as Falun Gong), and criminals who commit general crimes, the Chinese government indicted them with extreme penalties. The Dutch government will pay close attention to the situation.

In the European Union, Holland has devoted itself to highlighting issues such as the death penalty, freedom of religion, gathering and assembly, as well as the inhuman treatment of prisoners and members of banned groups, e.g. Falun Gong. These topics are frequently included in the human rights dialogue that the European Union engages in with China."
The letter also indicated that, "Holland believes in international human rights very much. Every government should take full responsibility to protect the human rights of its citizens no matter which group or organization its citizens belong to."

At the end of his letter, the official assured the Dafa practitioners, that "Holland will continue to urge China to improve their human rights conditions, including the way they treat Falun Gong practitioners in China. In the meetings of the European Union and the United Nations, we will also utilize various opportunities to timely demonstrate our concerns about China's human rights."

Facts of the Persecution

64 Falun Gong Practitioners Deaths from Torture in China Reported in Three Months

Between November 2003 and January 2004, reliable sources in China reported details on 64 Falun Gong practitioners who died from severe torture suffered in Chinese detention centers and labor camps.

Deaths from torture and abuse were reported in 17 provinces throughout China, from Heilongjiang to Guangxi; from Sichuan to Beijing.

Torture techniques reported include severe beatings, electric shocks, force-feeding torture, and injections of nerve-damaging drugs. Among the reported deceased was a 70-year-old woman and a 33-year-old man.

According to witnesses and those familiar with the cases, all but one of the deaths was the result of severe beatings or torture. In one case, a woman from Yitong County, Jilin Province reportedly "fell" from a tall building while in police custody.

In 23 of the cases, the victims died of their injuries shortly after being released from custody. Falun Gong practitioners thought to be near death are often released by Chinese authorities hoping to avoid responsibility for the deaths. In many cases, the victims die within days or even hours of their release.

According to knowledgeable sources in China, each forced labor camp operates with a "death quota:" That is, the number of Falun Gong practitioners that are allowed to die in the forced labor camp as camp authorities take them through the violent "transformation" process to force them to renounce Falun Gong. Additionally, each forced labor camp is rewarded for making a Falun Gong practitioner renounce his or her belief in Falun Gong. Consequently, labor camp officials often aim to avoid forfeiting one of their death quota numbers for a dying Falun Gong practitioner without first obtaining their bonus reward from making him or her renounce Falun Gong.

These sources say a practitioner can only be considered to have fully renounced Falun Gong when he or she has written multiple statements denouncing the practice as well as assisted in persecuting fellow Falun Gong practitioners.

Tortures at Beijing Female Forced Labor Center: Starvation, Sleep Deprivation and Violence

In August 2003 the Beijing Women's Forced Labor Center established a team called "Strike the Immovable," that focused on persecuting Falun Gong practitioners who persisted in their belief. The tortures there were very cruel.

1. Starvation
Practitioners who refused to give up their beliefs were detained in a 20 square meter room. Each of them was given only one bun a day. The bun was divided into 2 or 3 pieces, one piece with a bowl of vegetable soup (with only roots and rotten leaves) for one meal. In winter time water was given to practitioners only when it was cold. One time Li Xiuying, the team leader, was examining the food delivery. When she discovered that one of the staff gave a practitioner an extra half-bowl of noodles, she scolded the staff member saying: "How dare you give her so much food. Once she has enough food, it will be harder for us to change her. Are you going to write the letter denouncing Falun Gong for her as well?"

2. Sleep Deprivation
Falun Gong practitioners were deprived of sleep. Recordings were broadcasted to viciously attack Dafa. Practitioners were forced to listen. When practitioners were extremely sleepy, and as soon as they closed their eyes, they would be beaten or scolded. The police would pull their eyebrows or their hair. In general they could only sleep at 2 a.m. or 3 a.m., and were forced to get up at 4 a.m. Some practitioners were not allowed to sleep for over 20 days continuously.

3. Violence
If practitioners refused to change, violence would be used against them. The police ordered prisoner drug addicts and prostitutes to severely beat practitioners, in exchange for special benefits. They bound practitioners' hands and feet, and stuffed wet towels in their mouths. They then turned the stereo up to maximum volume so that people outside could not hear what was really going on in the room. One, two, or three of them would beat each practitioner. Often they beat practitioners on the head, in the face or kicked them, especially on the sensitive parts of the body. They cursed practitioners without showing any humanity. When they were tired of beating and kicking them, they would brutally slap practitioners with the heels of their shoes, in the nose, eyes, head, chest, belly, and the private parts of the body. The police did not intervene. They ignored the crimes and were even amused by them. The police in fact had ordered all of it.

The Plight of a Family in Heibei Province, China
By Li Shuxia, a Falun Gong practitioner in Hebei Province, China

My family lives in Qiantong Town, Yanshan County, Hebei Province. In August of 1998 I was the first in my family to practice Falun Gong, then my husband joined me.

Even though the persecution started on July 20, 1999, we still practiced Falun Gong. Because of this, the Yanshan County police kept harassing us.

On December 31, 2000, my husband and I went to Beijing to appeal for Falun Gong. I was arrested and detained for more than three months in Beijing. While I was being detained, the local police station ransacked my home. Our agricultural machinery and other personal belongings were taken away. My son held on to his favorite sheep and begged them to let him keep it, but they took it from him anyway. They saw a suitcase and a neighbor said, "Don't take the suitcase. There's money in it." When they heard the word "money" they took the suitcase with them right away. My neighbors reprimanded them for behaving like gangsters. Because my home was stripped clean, my son was forced to leave school because he could no longer afford the school fees.

In October 2002, the county police again broke into my home. They made an arrest and ransacked my home. My son cried and shouted in protest, so they stuck a dirty rag used for wiping the car into his mouth. They handcuffed him in the basement of the police station. They hit, scorned, and interrogated him in an attempt to get information about other local Falun Gong practitioners. After my son staged a hunger strike for two days they released him. Then they threatened my boy's grandfather, saying, "Send the kid back again to the police station in a couple of days." As a result my son ran away from home and had to beg for food on the streets. The political security section of the police station claimed to have sent my son to a juvenile detention facility until they can sentence him as an adult.

My husband Liu Huanjie, who was also arrested for going to Beijing to appeal for Falun Gong, was first detained in a police station for about five days and then sent to the Yanshan Detention Center. After a few days he was taken to the basement of a police station for an interrogation session that lasted eleven days. We never could find out what kind of cruel tortures the police subjected him to, but we heard that they wouldn't let him sleep for eleven days. When family members visited him, we saw that his eyes were red, swollen, and bloodshot. Afterwards, unknown to any of his family members, the police tried him in secret and illegally sentenced him to ten years.

I didn't give any statement during the police interrogation. The police threatened me and said, "Even without a statement we can still sentence you." Later they sent me to a detention center where I held a hunger strike to protest. After the chief of the center slapped me in the face, I was forced to sit in a big steel chair. The back of the chair was tilted, so a person could only maintain a half-seated posture. At the top and bottom of the chair were two iron hoops to keep a person's legs and arms straight. Both of my ankles were stuck in an iron hoop. One belt immobilized each knee and another compressed the chest and made it difficult to breathe. Both arms were twisted backwards and the wrists were handcuffed to the two upper hoops. They wouldn't let you out of the chair even if you needed to use the restroom. An average person usually would not be able to endure it for more than 24 hours. I was tied up there for about forty hours. After that, they put me in a metal cage. The cage was about 60 centimeters in width. It was wide enough for me to stand, but it was too narrow if I wished to sit down, as I would be sandwiched tightly. No matter whether metal chairs or metal cages, in the winter they were always put in the corridor day and night. I was still subjected to force-feeding when I was in the iron cage. One day the police came with a warrant for arrest, forced my hands out of the cage, and pressed my fingers to make fingerprints on the warrant. They locked me in the cage for four to five days. It was only after I vomited blood that they let me out.

As soon as I got back to my village, however, the local police came to make another arrest. At midnight they first went to my parents' home to find me, but to no avail. They again came to my village at midnight. They climbed over a wall to enter my sister-in-law's home and smashed the doors and windows. I was not home at the time, so their efforts were futile.

On November 16, 2003, I was at a fellow practitioner's home and was recognized by the local police. They took me away by force and once again sent me to a detention center. I was again tied to a steel chair and subjected to the torture of force-feeding every day. The wide tube they used for force-feeding was forced up into my nose and down into my stomach and it was very painful. They released me after eleven days, but they still keep me under surveillance, so I am deprived of my freedom.

China: Middle School Student Is Arrested for Answering an Exam Question Truthfully

Ms. Wang Lin, a 17-year-old middle school student, lived in Suileng County, Heilongjiang Province. In July of 2002, Wang Lin attended a joint entrance exam for a provincial high school. In the politics section of the paper there was a question defaming Falun Gong. Wang Lin answered the question truthfully stating: Falun Dafa is good, and Falun Dafa is righteous. Later on officials from the Political and Judiciary Committee, Police Department and Provincial Education Committee came looking for her. Wang was forced to leave home to avoid further persecution.

In May of 2003, Wang Lin was working in Harbin City where she was arrested by the police and detained up to the present date. We ask for help from people from all walks of life to help Wang Lin escape from such a dangerous situation. The specific order of the chief of the "610 Office" in Suileng County were to detain her until she turns the legal age [in China one can be sentenced only when he/she reaches 18 years old], then sentence her.

China: U.S. Wigs Made by Falun Gong Practitioners Turned Slaves

Hair product giant Henan Rebecca Inc. is in cahoots with notorious Chinese labor camps that are buying Falun Gong practitioners as slave labor, sources in China say. Labor camps such as Shibalihe and Xuchang buy these people for 800 RMB each (almost $100 US), force them to work day and night, and torture them to death as part of the "reeducation" program.

The labor camps are located in Henan Province, where hair products are the province's number-one export. Henan Rebecca describes itself as "the largest hair product company in China and one of the biggest in the world," including U.S. Its products are sold worldwide under many brand names, including Shake-N-Go Hair and Royal Imex, Inc.

"Many of these wig product factories don't hire a lot of employees outright," says a source in China who is familiar with forced labor contracts. "Instead, they rely heavily on the slave labor of detainees in forced labor camps, jails and detention centers, including many illegally detained Falun Gong practitioners."

One of these camps, the No. 2 Shibalihe Female Labor Camp located in Henan's Zhenzhou City, was assigned a new director in May 2003. After arriving at the position Qu Shuangcai -- previously the head of the No. 3 Xuchang City Labor Camp -- quickly imported the torture methods from his former labor camp in an effort to force Falun Gong practitioners to renounce their belief system. Within several months at least three practitioners died of this torture, including Ms. Zhang Yali, an accountant in her thirties.

Sources say Qu also signed a production contract with Henan Rebecca and began manufacturing hair products for export. Qu's former labor camp also manufactures hair products for the same purpose.

"A while back, when the labor camp was short of funding and was about to be shut down, many Falun Gong practitioners became available," said Shen Jianwei, a guard at the Xuchang camp. "The government allocated 20,000 Yuan to 'reform' each practitioner. The labor camp used eight million Yuan of this government funding to construct residential buildings to encourage the guards to persecute these practitioners."

Currently, the labor camp is buying Falun Gong practitioners from other places as slaves to increase production volume. Sources familiar with the Xuchang camp state that prisoners are forced to work overtime, day and night, under high-pressure supervision. If prisoners make a slight mistake, they are beaten by the guards.

Falun Gong practitioners at the camp have received a heightened workload and those who are not able to complete the work on time are deprived of sleep, forced to stand against the wall and have had their sentences extended. Two young Falun Gong practitioners, Mr. Li Jian and Mr. Yao Sanzhong were tortured to death at the Xuchang camp.

Included among the methods used to torture practitioners in these Henan camps is a technique in which guards tie practitioners' arms behind their backs in a straight jacket. According to an eyewitness account, the arms are then raised over the shoulders to the chest and the victims suffer broken arms, torn tendons, as well as dislocated shoulders, wrists, and elbows. The practitioners' legs are tied and they are hung upside down from the windows; the guards gag practitioners' mouths with cloth and place earphones to drill anti-Falun Gong propaganda into their minds. The spines of those who endure this torture for a long time are sometimes broken, killing the individual.

On May 22, 2003, a female Falun Gong practitioner in her 40's was tortured this way for 24 hours at Shibalihe. When she was extricated from the strait jacket the next day, her body was already cold. To cover up the murder, guards ordered inmates to take her body to the hospital for an injection. They later claimed she died of a sudden illness.

Media Reports and Opinions

VOA: New York Based Human Rights Organization Claims that Falun Gong Suffers Mental Torment in China

VOA reported on February 5 that New York based organization, China Psychiatric Watch, condemned China for subjecting Falun Gong practitioners to mental torment.

China Psychiatric Watch, which was founded last November, said that many Chinese citizens have been persecuted for practicing Falun Gong. They are abducted, and sent to brainwashing classes, labor camps or mental hospitals to be physically and mentally tortured. Their salaries are withheld and their houses are ransacked and property confiscated. Some people have developed mental disorders due the torture they received in labor camps. According to the information this organization has collected so far, there are over one hundred mental hospitals and clinics that are involved in mentally persecuting Falun Gong practitioners.

China Psychiatric Watch's mission is to seek justice for those who suffer mental persecution in Chinese labor camps or mental hospitals. However, the majority of the cases it collects are related to Falun Gong. A member of the organization, Lu Yang, said, "We are not a Falun Gong organization. We are a group of professionals. Anyone who is concerned with mental torment can join us. We enroll members from all walks of life. We do not have financial support from anybody else. Instead, we operate at our own expense." Lu Yang indicated she is a Falun Gong practitioner.

Oregon, USA: Corvallis Gazette Times - Chinese Persecution of Falun Gong Fatal

At the end of 2003, when the whole Western world was celebrating the Christmas and New Year holidays, the tragic death of a man named Cheng-jiu Liu shed darkness onto the joyful season.

Mr. Liu was an upright Chinese citizen who was killed because of his belief in Falun Gong and his involvement in transmitting the truth about the government's persecution. Mr. Liu, with other Falun Gong practitioners, had successfully intercepted the government controlled TV system that is virtually the only source of news that the Chinese people are permitted to see.
The Western world already knows that there is no freedom of speech, freedom of belief or freedom of inquiry for ordinary Chinese people inside of their own country. This situation was exacerbated after the former dictator, Jiang Zemin, launched an unprecedented scale of persecution against Falun Gong in July 1999.

Dictator Jiang saw the 100 million peaceful Falun Gong followers, who believe in truthfulness, compassion and tolerance, as a primary threat to his dictator supremacy. Hence, he abused his position.

Jiang used judiciary and military power to set off a nationwide brutal persecution. He defamed Falun Gong through the "610 Offices," a Gestapo-like organization especially created to persecute Falun Gong. The authority of the 610 Offices lies outside the Chinese legal system and thereby is not subject to any kind of restraint on its power.
Jiang also used embassies and delegations worldwide to extend hate against Falun Gong practitioners overseas. There is no legal avenue for Falun Gong practitioners inside of China to tell the truth to the public.

Under such a circumstance, in March of 2002, Mr. Liu along with a group of Falun Gong practitioners from Changchun, intercepted the state-run TV system and broadcast Falun Gong's message to the Chinese people. All who had been involved with this event were arrested.

When Mr. Liu was captured, the policeman deliberately shot his leg after he was already cuffed with both wrists and ankles. In the detention center, he was mistreated and was forced into sitting in the "Tiger chair," an extremely awkward position, for 52 days. During his trial, he had to be carried into the courtroom. Later, he was brutally beaten and tortured in jail to the point he was not recognizable and had difficulty speaking. He was not allowed to receive any treatment at the hospital. Unfortunately, after suffering one year and nine months, Mr. Liu passed away in late December.

On the day of his death, the prison officials gathered a large group of policemen and forcefully cremated his body without autopsy, despite the protests of his family.
This persecution is not unrelated to the experience of an American.

In January 2003, U.S. citizen Charles Li was imprisoned in China. He was jailed and sentenced for three years because Chinese officials claimed that he had the "intention" of intercepting the Chinese TV system. Charles Li has been in Chinese prison for more than a year and suffers physical and emotional torture every moment.

More Americans should stand up and say "No" to Jiang's persecution against Falun Gong. This persecution is contrary to the most basic standards of goodness and human decency and tramples human rights. Martin Luther King Jr. said, "A threat to justice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

Ottawa Citizen: Falun Gong [Practitioner] Wins Suit Against Consular Official
February 5, 2004

The consular corps in this country cannot act maliciously against Canadians and not expect to suffer consequences, the lawyer of a Toronto man who won a libel lawsuit earlier this week in Ontario Superior Court said yesterday.

In what was seen as an unprecedented step against a Canadian-based representative of a foreign government, the court said Pan Xinchun, the Chinese deputy consul general in Toronto, libelled Joel Chipkar, a Toronto businessman, and would have to pay $1,000 and legal fees.

Mr. Chipkar, a practitioner of Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline whose followers have been persecuted by the Chinese government, wrote a letter to the Toronto Star last spring in which he criticized China's management of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome outbreak.

The day after Mr. Chipkar's letter was published, the newspaper ran a reply from Mr. Pan, who said Mr. Chipkar "had hidden motives and was part of [Jiang regime's slanderous words deleted]," said Peter Downard, Mr. Chipkar's lawyer.

"That personal attack exceeded the bounds of fair reply," Mr. Downard added.

Mr. Chipkar asked for an apology.

When there was no response, he sued Mr. Pan, who refused repeated attempts to be served with the legal papers and then did not file a defence.
Consequently, the court noted Mr. Pan was in default, essentially admitting the allegations against him were true, Mr. Downard said.
Officials with the Chinese consulate in Toronto could not be reached for comment.

The People Awaken to the Truth

Elementary School Pupil is Not Fooled by Police's Deception

Early in the summer of 2003, three officers from the Police Department of Yilong County, Sichuan province went to visit some elementary schools in Yilong County. They tempted many pupils with ice cream or cash if they would tell which of their neighbors were practicing Falun Gong.

One day they came to Yilong County Jincheng Elementary School. One of the officers had a notebook while the other two asked a little girl, "Is anyone in your family practicing Falun Gong? What's your phone number?" The little girl didn't answer them. Then they asked another girl, "Who practices Falun Gong in your house? If you tell us, we'll buy you ice cream. If you don't want the ice cream, we'll give you money." Then they took out a 10 yuan bill and flashed it in front of her. The little girl said, "I know that Falun Gong is good. I won't tell you. There isn't anyone practicing at my house."

A Letter from a Non-Practitioner in China: Falun Gong Friends, Be Persistent!

There are a lot of Falun Gong practitioners in my neighborhood, and I had frequently received truth-clarification pamphlets, pictures and VCDs. I looked at them thoroughly, sometimes by myself and sometimes with my family. The more I watched the VCDs and read the pamphlets, the better I understood Falun Gong. I am convinced that what's been said in the materials is sensible and trustworthy, and Jiang is ruthless. From knowing nothing about Falun Gong, I came to know, to sympathize, and to support Falun Gong. I began to try to learn more about it.

On one occasion, a friend of mine told me that Falun Gong is persecuted in China, but it is spreading fast overseas. He told me that a lot of people he knew lost their jobs and didn't have any income. However, they are optimistic and happy even though their physical life is harsh. They contribute all the money they still have to purchase paper, CDs, and office equipment to make truth-clarification materials.

I asked how they make a living. He told me that they usually eat plain bread with pickled vegetables and none of them complain. They are busy making materials and clarifying the truth. The place they live is also very primitive.

I was deeply moved. For personal gain and self-interest, nowadays people fight with each other with all means, and nobody is thinking about anyone but himself. The worst are those corrupt officials. What a sharp contrast compared to Falun Dafa practitioners.

Falun Gong, what a great way of cultivation! Why is it not allowed to be practiced? Why are so many good people being persecuted? Now I will tell those who do not practice Falun Gong and those who were misled by the false propaganda: Falun Dafa is really good. Look carefully at what they are enduring and what they are giving--it moves me deeply and gives me hope. It's been four years. Falun Gong friends, be persistent. It won't be very long!

Falun Gong Practitioners' Personal Experience

After Practicing Falun Gong for One Month I Completely Recovered From a Serious Disability

In the autumn of 2003, a blood vessel in my brain suddenly burst, causing my limbs to become numb and making it very difficult to move at all. My eyes and mouth were askew and I could not speak clearly. I was forced to rely on my husband to help me with even the simple things of daily living, like getting dressed and eating. My suffering was terribly painful.

During that time my family sought medical treatment for me everywhere, and spent more than 4,000 Yuan on medicines and therapies, but none could improve my condition [note: 500 Yuan is equal to the average monthly salary of an urban worker in China]. My entire family was suffering because of my disability. After exhausting our savings on medical treatment that did not help, my family, including myself, lost all hope of a cure.

November 9, 2003, is a day that I will never forget. This was the day that the townspeople were all out shopping at the market. A Falun Gong practitioner came to visit my home and talked with me about the practice of Falun Gong. After listening to what she said, I immediately felt that Falun Gong was very good, and I listened earnestly. While listening, strange things began to happen. As I talked, my voice was getting clearer and clearer.

After the practitioner left, my husband returned from the market and I said to him: "Hi, you are back." My voice was so clear. It was a big surprise for my husband. He asked me, "How can you talk so well?" I then told him that I had met a Falun Gong practitioner. He was very happy after listening and said, "Then, you should practice Falun Gong!"

The next day, the practitioner came back and taught me the Falun Gong exercises. Under her guidance, I studied the teachings of Falun Gong and practiced the exercises. Each day my health was noticeably improved. My numb body slowly regained feeling. On December 14, just over one month after learning Falun Gong, my health was basically back to normal. When the next market day came, I could go to the market freely like other people in town.

My experience let the people in my village witness the wonderful benefits of Falun Dafa. In writing today, I speak on behalf of my whole family, to say "thank you" to Master Li for his introducing Falun Gong to the public.

Story of a Young Practitioner: Falun Gong Cured the Illnesses I Was Born With

I am a young Falun Gong practitioner. I would like to talk about some experiences my own body has gone through.

The day I was born, my parents and my grandparents were all very happy. However, the next day it was discovered that I had birth defects: anal occlusion and intestinal adhesion. My family members reacted as if they had fallen into a bottomless abyss. They were very worried. After the first surgery, I sneezed once and it caused the suture that sewed my belly together to snap. When this happened, my life was in danger, and my mom and dad stood in the hospital room watching me, burning with anxiety.

When I was two, my parents once again took me to Beijing for surgery. The treatment I received in Beijing had no effect. I then went to Harbin to receive treatment. My father's uncle is a doctor, and so he helped find someone to treat me, but it was still no use.

My parents took me all around China but could find no way to eradicate my illnesses. It was really like randomly seeking medical advice for an illness. Knowing that there was very little chance to find an effective cure for me, my parents still never gave up hope. When we finally returned to our home when I was 5, I could not sleep for the entire night, because I defecated on the bed, and the bed sheets needed to be changed very often. At the time, my mom almost could not take any more of the ordeal, and nearly broke down. She even had the thought of having me die with her.

With no way out, my dad went to a Chinese traditional medical hospital to obtain some Chinese traditional medicine for me. He also tried treatment methods such as "anal expansion" and massaging for me. Anal expansion is extremely painful, in order to not allow neighbors to hear, my father played loud music, my grandmother stuffed my mouth, and my mother held down my legs. I had to endure enormous pain.

When I was six years old, my dad would not let me eat too much, because whenever I ate, I would defecate. I stole money to buy food, and my father would beat me. It was just at that time when a person introduced Falun Gong to my family. At first, I did not believe in it, and approached it with the mentality of just trying it out.

What I absolutely did not think could happen, did. A miracle occurred in my body. On the second day of reading the books, my feces had already taken shape, and I could let my stomach out and eat anything. It was the first time I understood that "meat was so savory, and fish was so delicious." My mother's energy and body condition also became better, and my father's frame of mind became open and bright, and he worked well at his job. Since that day, my entire family has taken the road of cultivation practice in Falun Gong.